Celebrating South Asian Cinema: Winners of the 22nd Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles

Written on 07/11/2024
Celebrating South Asian Cinema: Winners of the 22nd Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles

 

Los Angeles, CA – The 22nd Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) wrapped up with a bang on June 30th, announcing the winners of its prestigious jury and audience awards during a glamorous Closing Night ceremony.
 

“This year’s IFFLA was truly special,” shared IFFLA Executive Director Christina Marouda. “With new venues in the heart of LA, we continued to be a central hub for South Asian filmmakers, celebrating their powerful stories and achievements.”

 

The top honor, the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film, went to Girls Will Be Girls, directed by Shuchi Talati. The jury was impressed by its thoughtful take on coming-of-age themes and elegant storytelling. Dear Jassi by Tarsem Singh received an Honorable Mention for its impactful narrative on societal issues.

 

Audience favorites also had their moment. Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa, directed by Lucy Walker, won the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film. The short film HEMA by Ritvik Dhavale snagged the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film.

 

For short films, the Grand Jury Prize went to Last Days of Summer by Stenzin Tankong, praised for its touching story and beautiful cinematography. Yuki Ellias’s Lovely & Tip Top received an Honorable Mention.

 

Adding more excitement, the IFFLA Industry Day pitch competition crowned Shuchi Dwivedi’s Friends and Fascism as the winner, awarding $10,000. Sejal Pachisia’s Empathico earned an Honorable Mention.

 

IFFLA 2024 was a film lover's dream, showcasing 21 diverse films, including narrative features, shorts, and documentaries from South Asia and its diaspora. 

 

Award Recap:

  • Best Feature Film: Girls Will Be Girls by Shuchi Talati
  • Feature Jury Honorable Mention: Dear Jassi by Tarsem Singh
  • Best Short Film: Last Days of Summer by Stenzin Tankong
  • Short Film Jury Honorable Mention: Lovely & Tip Top by Yuki Ellias
  • Audience Choice Best Feature Film: Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa by Lucy Walker
  • Audience Choice Best Short Film: HEMA by Ritvik Dhavale
  • Pitch Competition Winner: Shuchi Dwivedi for Friends and Fascism
  • Pitch Competition Honorable Mention: Sejal Pachisia for Empathico

 

The 22nd IFFLA was a vibrant celebration of South Asian cinema, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating next year's festival!